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Toke
So Lord Vishnu showed up one morning when I was really stoned and asked me to save the world from turning undead. How did I save the world? I didn’t. We did. And while saving the world, I got to forcefully kiss the girl of my dreams. Many times. My best friends got to smoke a lot of good shit. A lot more than they would have otherwise smoked in that much time. They also got to crash an airplane outside Santacruz airport and kill a lot of poor people. But don’t worry, they were not people when they died. We were joined on our quest by two Japanese girls who can kill people with their pinkies, one of whom forcefully kissed Danny. Yes, there was a lot of non-consensual kissing in this adventure. With tongue.
Hi. I’m Nikhil. This is my story. And I swear I have a t-shirt to prove it.
Hi. I’m Nikhil. This is my story. And I swear I have a t-shirt to prove it.
- GenresFiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 18, 2021
It's a fun, light read. Will translate excellently well into a graphic novel or comic. A young adult saving the world with mcguffin adventure with some mythology and lots of pop culture peppered in. Oh, and the mcguffin is pot! As the name suggests...
December 27, 2012
Read. Laugh. Do not bother to finish the book if you don't feel like it.
That which you think will happen will happen.
That which you think will happen will happen.
April 26, 2013
page-turner. stoner pulp fiction with a bit of thought behind it. the author and his friends seem fun chaps to hangout with.
February 17, 2017
Like the summary claims, this is indeed the story of Nikhil. (I would love to get my hands on the t-shirt). He is an average Indian guy, stuck in a mundane job, surrounded by hyper friends and ever disappointed parent. One day Nikhil ends up in the flat of his friends (Aman & Danny) and gets stoned for the first time. On waking up he meets a talking crow, who at first claims to be a celebrity and later on Lord Vishnu, and ends up taking the responsibility of saving the world that is about to come to an end. Armed with a red panic, weed, some close and some not so close friends, Nikhil embarks upon ‘the journey’ of his life. And oh! There’s that unattainable lady figure in the story too.
The main characters in the story are all very modern day, average people that we happen to be, to know and can relate to in many bizarre ways. Nikhil is someone you will find yourself cheering on and rooting for. So, that was a huge ‘plus’ side of this story. The author’s writing style is also something that can be mentioned in the ‘plus’ category of the book. His unpretentious style of writing and the fast pace of the story kept me going. Then there’s the humour factor in the story in large doses that will make you at least smile, if not laugh outright. The plot on the other hand is something else. It was pretty predictable, even with all the fantastical twists – like the Japanese girls!
What I liked most about this book was the Author’s take on Hinduism, not as a religion but as a way of life. With so many clichéd love stories flooding the market, I also admired the way Jugal has tried to bring something ‘different’ to us readers. And it is because of that, and the good humour, that I would rate this book as an entertaining read.
The main characters in the story are all very modern day, average people that we happen to be, to know and can relate to in many bizarre ways. Nikhil is someone you will find yourself cheering on and rooting for. So, that was a huge ‘plus’ side of this story. The author’s writing style is also something that can be mentioned in the ‘plus’ category of the book. His unpretentious style of writing and the fast pace of the story kept me going. Then there’s the humour factor in the story in large doses that will make you at least smile, if not laugh outright. The plot on the other hand is something else. It was pretty predictable, even with all the fantastical twists – like the Japanese girls!
What I liked most about this book was the Author’s take on Hinduism, not as a religion but as a way of life. With so many clichéd love stories flooding the market, I also admired the way Jugal has tried to bring something ‘different’ to us readers. And it is because of that, and the good humour, that I would rate this book as an entertaining read.
February 27, 2013
Jugal Mody's "Toke" is an unapologetic slam-bam adventure into the unknown, with lots (I really mean lots) of the good stuff. The language is irreverent without descending into complete text-speak; and the characters are very human, without turning into complete losers.
The template of the story, or the characters, follows a lot of modern Indian fiction about young adults. Young protagonist with a mundane day-job, larger than life rebel friend(s) of the protagonist, an unattainable lead lady, you get the drift. However, the outlandish nature of the plot and the constant curve-balls thrown at the reader invert the setting and make for a pleasant read.
The one thing that is a little weak is the actual story. In the multitude of pop-culture references and amidst all the weed-imbibing, there is a very weak plot and some gaping plot-holes. But hey, the plot is very secondary in this story anyway! It's all about the characters and the fast action, which speeds from Mumbai (sorry, Bombay) to Himachal Pradesh (where a couple of Japanese chicas straight out of a rather stereotypical anime-porno mishmash join the pack; in bloody Himachal Pradesh!) and back within a couple of chapters, not before poking fun at your friendly neighbourhood gun-toting jatt.
I had a fun Saturday afternoon with this!
The template of the story, or the characters, follows a lot of modern Indian fiction about young adults. Young protagonist with a mundane day-job, larger than life rebel friend(s) of the protagonist, an unattainable lead lady, you get the drift. However, the outlandish nature of the plot and the constant curve-balls thrown at the reader invert the setting and make for a pleasant read.
The one thing that is a little weak is the actual story. In the multitude of pop-culture references and amidst all the weed-imbibing, there is a very weak plot and some gaping plot-holes. But hey, the plot is very secondary in this story anyway! It's all about the characters and the fast action, which speeds from Mumbai (sorry, Bombay) to Himachal Pradesh (where a couple of Japanese chicas straight out of a rather stereotypical anime-porno mishmash join the pack; in bloody Himachal Pradesh!) and back within a couple of chapters, not before poking fun at your friendly neighbourhood gun-toting jatt.
I had a fun Saturday afternoon with this!
April 12, 2022
Such bizarre event taking place at random times, and always push the boundaries of ridiculousness yet everything makes sense. It plays pretty well and you never get bored. In contrast to not so well written characters, the event that took place is the reason that you want to keep going on.
A good read whether you are toke or not...
A good read whether you are toke or not...
June 26, 2013
Fun Fun Fun! Would have worked wonders as a graphic novel
December 28, 2018
what a trip
May 31, 2013
http://pebbleinthestillwaters.blogspo...
Book Review: Toke by Jugal Mody: The Most Illogical Book Ever Read
Nothing looks relevant or that can be correlated with anything logical or real. It is a very different kind of imaginative stuff more towards keeping you engaged to get bored all the time you try your best to read this book by spinning out its pages. It becomes hard at times to absorb what you are trying to while reading this book and then you start to swallow it like something that you have to eat and can’t tolerate its taste in the mouth. This is the crux of Toke written by Jugal Mody. This is Jugal’s first book and it is really appreciable that he has dared to write this book in a style that is something unique and innovative though the final product produced and delivered is not at all what you would like to look at or try to read. It will be really daring at your end if you do it.
There are a number of characters around whom the whole story revolved around. The main character is Nikhil who is surrounded by Danny, Aman, Alok, Suparna, a talking crow and Lord Vishnu. Talking crow and Lord Vishnu have been projected more in a comical manner whereas the real characters like Nikhil, Aman, Danny are most of the time are busy in drinking and are under the heavy impact of overdosing of drugs. Lord Vishnu, the famous Hindu God has been projected in a funny manner and so is the talking crow that is visible to these guys, and audible too.
Could not really make out what is the target audience Jugal Mody had in mind while writing such a crude, daring and illogical book titled Toke at all. Overall, from my side, it is a big NO for this book while I am still wondering how a HarperCollins India, a publisher of repute decided to go ahead to publish it.
Book Review: Toke by Jugal Mody: The Most Illogical Book Ever Read
Nothing looks relevant or that can be correlated with anything logical or real. It is a very different kind of imaginative stuff more towards keeping you engaged to get bored all the time you try your best to read this book by spinning out its pages. It becomes hard at times to absorb what you are trying to while reading this book and then you start to swallow it like something that you have to eat and can’t tolerate its taste in the mouth. This is the crux of Toke written by Jugal Mody. This is Jugal’s first book and it is really appreciable that he has dared to write this book in a style that is something unique and innovative though the final product produced and delivered is not at all what you would like to look at or try to read. It will be really daring at your end if you do it.
There are a number of characters around whom the whole story revolved around. The main character is Nikhil who is surrounded by Danny, Aman, Alok, Suparna, a talking crow and Lord Vishnu. Talking crow and Lord Vishnu have been projected more in a comical manner whereas the real characters like Nikhil, Aman, Danny are most of the time are busy in drinking and are under the heavy impact of overdosing of drugs. Lord Vishnu, the famous Hindu God has been projected in a funny manner and so is the talking crow that is visible to these guys, and audible too.
Could not really make out what is the target audience Jugal Mody had in mind while writing such a crude, daring and illogical book titled Toke at all. Overall, from my side, it is a big NO for this book while I am still wondering how a HarperCollins India, a publisher of repute decided to go ahead to publish it.
May 20, 2013
Review at my blog: http://bit.ly/19Tp2TI
We can relate to the characters, crazy yet so familiar to our own at times. The narration is crisp though a bit predictable. The story moves quickly, sometimes too quickly for my liking. Humor is there, but I feel that it gets a little mundane as the story goes on. If I were to read it a second time, I might not find it just as humorous. His portrayal of Lord Vishnu challenges mythology and our beliefs and it is fun to imagine God being such a casual person, one who we can hi-five and call dude.
Overall, this is a fun read, and I feel it is one-time read. A confident debut offering.
We can relate to the characters, crazy yet so familiar to our own at times. The narration is crisp though a bit predictable. The story moves quickly, sometimes too quickly for my liking. Humor is there, but I feel that it gets a little mundane as the story goes on. If I were to read it a second time, I might not find it just as humorous. His portrayal of Lord Vishnu challenges mythology and our beliefs and it is fun to imagine God being such a casual person, one who we can hi-five and call dude.
Overall, this is a fun read, and I feel it is one-time read. A confident debut offering.
April 4, 2014
I've been saying for years that we should recognize Krishna as the patron saint of clubbing. What with all his sneaking out at night, dancing the night away with women who won't admit it the next morning, making music that moves the soul, the guy's practically begging to be crowned king of the night scene.
And finally I've found an author who recognizes that, albeit in a weird, trippy zombified version of a novel.
This book was a pretty quick read and not always worth the effort. But it tears out into territory most Indian readers would have you believe cannot and must not exist. For that alone it deserves stars.
But to be quite honestly, no stars for much else.
And finally I've found an author who recognizes that, albeit in a weird, trippy zombified version of a novel.
This book was a pretty quick read and not always worth the effort. But it tears out into territory most Indian readers would have you believe cannot and must not exist. For that alone it deserves stars.
But to be quite honestly, no stars for much else.
September 2, 2012
I like books that have happy endings. Books that let deemed superheros retain their superhero powers. In between, I don't mind crows who toke, some psychedelic events and Japanese. IMO, a book cannot catch your interest unless 1. You come across a fact that was all there but you didn't know and 2. Some true incident you relate to. In this book, 1. Green Day and 2. The AC duct incident. And like in every apocalyptic turn of events, you fly a plane! Keeps you gripped in a 8-bit mode. Jugal Mody's debut novel - Toke has been an interesting read!
January 26, 2013
I don't know why this book is not as appreciated as it should be. This is way better than many of the 'Mythology-Literature' from new authors. I dare say, that this one is better than what they called the 'National bestseller', sure Toke does not comes with a marketing trailer but it still deliver the expectation set by the plot summary in the back cover. And the language is flowless, and smooth. The plot is out of the world concept, its new and awesome. Yeah, its not for a serious read, its to make you relax and laugh.
5 Stars.
5 Stars.
November 22, 2012
Jugal makes one of the most confident literary debuts in recent times with Toke. The narration is crisp and well edited, the story unconventional and well detailed; and the concept is mind blowing and mind boggling, together. Full review: http://thetalespensieve.com/2012/11/2...
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May 28, 2013Its very different from the books I've read so far. No imposed righteousness/ no morals whatsoever. But it does goes overboard at times with too much creativity. Maggots, people flying on eagles et al. :P
July 12, 2013
Had fun reading. Simply crazy!
July 18, 2013
A delightful read for all the zombie lovers
September 3, 2016
Pick it up only if you have time to kill or need some stress buster.. mindless stoner comic read
May 10, 2016
A stoned narration
May 26, 2017
Jugal Mody’s Toke is about Nikhil Parmar, a regular “loser”kind of a guy, who is constantly nagged by his parents about everything, has a mundane job, a not-so-nice manager, no girlfriend, no respect from anyone and basically no life. One fine day, he decided to go meet his college buddies Danny and Aman, whose only focus and ambition is life is to get high and joins them in what turns out to be a pretty strange series of event, involving getting all the more high, taking animals , zombies, panic buttons, Japanese Kung fu fighters and Lord Vishnu.
I have to appreciate the authors confidence when it comes to narration. In no part of the book you can say that its his first book. The narration is....Read complete review here: http://www.coml13.com/toke-book-review/
I have to appreciate the authors confidence when it comes to narration. In no part of the book you can say that its his first book. The narration is....Read complete review here: http://www.coml13.com/toke-book-review/
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews